Local Politicos React to Governor’s May Budget Revise

Press Releases posted 5/14/15

Rep. Sen. Bob Huff

Assemblyman Chris Holden

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s May Budget Revise.”We are happy to see the Governor is interested in keeping the promises to invest in education, pay off state budget debts and liabilities, and save money for a rainy day.”

“The plan does miss an opportunity by failing to invest more in California working families. One of the smartest ways to use surplus revenues is to put them to work creating good jobs for Californians by fixing our roads, expanding water storage, and repairing our schools.”

“Planning for a rainy day will help ensure we can respond to natural disasters like fires, drought, floods and earth quakes and cushion the blow for those who depend on state services when we face a recession again.”

The Governor’s new state tax credit for the working poor will benefit some 2-million working Californians by helping to move them out of poverty. It’s a big step in aiding working families and moves money into our local communities.This budget reverses the severe cuts that our K-12 schools endured during the recession and means our school districts will see restoration of per pupil funding and an increase for preschool and childcare.

It’s a good sign that the University of California will implement a 2-year tuition freeze for California undergraduates. The Assembly has been holding hearings critical of the University for threatening tuition rate increases while increasing the number of out-of-state students. The Assembly will continue to pursue those issues as a condition of increased funding for UC.

Among the provisions in the budget, is $2 million earmarked for a pilot program to provide incentives to community colleges and the CSU to coordinate remedial instruction programs for incoming CSU students. It’s what I’ve been saying all along with our bill (AB 288) to expand pathways for high school students who want to enroll in college courses in order to better prepare for college-level studies.”